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Maternity Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 November 2017

Wednesday, 22 November 2017

Ceisteanna (159, 160)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

159. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the annual induction rates for first time mothers in each of the State's 19 maternity hospitals and units for each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49545/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Clare Daly

Ceist:

160. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on the concerns expressed by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women in 2017 in regard to induction rates in Irish hospitals (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49546/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 160 together.

Firstly, I would like to assure the Deputy that no national policy is in place which specifies a target number of births per bed in 24 hours. On the contrary, the National Maternity Strategy recognises pregnancy and birth as a normal physiological process. It recognises that all pregnant women require a certain level of support and that some will need more specialised care. As such, it proposes a woman-centred and integrated care model that encompasses all the necessary safety nets in line with patient safety principles, which delivers care at the lowest level of complexity. Equally, the model has the capacity and ability to provide specialised and complex care, quickly, as required.

In terms of induction rates, the fact is that pregnancy care in Ireland has become more complex. More challenging cases arise due to increases in obesity levels, diabetes, average age of primigravidas, assisted reproduction, multiple pregnancies etc. However, we have established a National Programme for Women & Infants Health within the HSE, to drive improvements in maternity services. In addition, the Programme will lead on the implementation of the National Maternity Strategy.

The Deputy may find the following data sources useful:

1. The Irish Maternity Indicator System (IMIS) http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/hospitals/IMISnationalreport14.pdf;

2. The Maternity Patient Safety Statement (MPSS) http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/3/maternity/MPSS/MPSS.html.

In particular, the 2014 & 2015 IMIS reports includes data showing the range of the rate of induction of first time mothers at hospital/unit level for those years, while the national induction rate of all mothers for the years 2008 – 2014 is available in the 2014 IMIS report. In addition, since December 2015, the Maternity Patient Safety Statements have detailed the monthly rate of induction, including of first time mothers. While I am not sure if the further information requested by the Deputy is readily available, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly with whatever information may be available.

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